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America Attacked: Photography
On Assignment: World Trade Center
With Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox
Post Photographer and washingtonpost.com Photographer
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001; 3 p.m. EDT
Last Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, in a horrific series of events, hijacked planes hit and destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center and crashed into the Pentagon in what's being described as the single worst act of terrorism on U.S. soil. The Bush administration and law enforcement officials are actively seeking those responsible and have declared war on terrorism.
Post photographer Lucian Perkins and washingtonpost.com Travis Fox, were on assignment in New York covering the World Trade Center attack.
Below is the transcript.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests
and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: Welcome from both of us (Travis and Lucian). Thank you for the many questions. We will try to answer as many as we can during this hour.
Fredericksburg, Md.:
How many photographers does the Washington Post have in New York City? How many on staff?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: The Washington Post Photography staff has 44 people (8 photo editors, 3 technicians and 33 photographers. We sent 4 photographers and one photo editor to New York City to cover the World Trade attack. Washingtonpost.com sent one (Travis). We do not have any staff photographers in New York City.
Mol - Belgium:
How could you be so quickly there on the place of violence on September 11th?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: I (Lucian) left for New York City less than an hour after the attack on the World Trade Center. First I went to the Train station in Washington, DC, but it was evacuated. Then I went to the bus station, but it closed down. By that time the traffic in Washington was at a stand still, so I walked back home (about 3miles) and got into my car and drove to New York. When I arrived in Newark, I tried all the bridges, but traffic was closed going into New York. About 10:30pm I recieved a call from my paper saying they heard that the PATH train from Newark to New York was running. I went to the train station and found out they were right. I got into New York close to Midnight on Tuesday.
Duck, North Carolina:
Spencer Platt and Jeff Christensen seem to have taken the most timely and revealing photos of any photograhers. How large is the AP staff in NY and how were they able to get such amazing shots of the twin towers burning without being injured?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: The AP staff is used to covering big events and they jumped into high gear on this one, as did many of the other photo agencies and local newspapers. The coverage was absolutely amazing. The photographs taken that day were stunning.
A number of photographers were injured--one with a broken leg.
Long Island, N.Y.:
How did you get to ground zero? Aren't the national guard preventing press from getting that close?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: Getting to Ground Zero was at times very difficult. The police and National Guard were trying to keep everyone out of the area (including the press), however at certain time we were able to get in for short periods of time to photograph the scene and relief workers.
Chantilly, Va.:
I know many of us had trouble concentrating at work after last week's events. How difficult has it been to cope with such a tragedy while at the same time capturing history as part of your job?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: I was in a state of shock when I saw the images of the World Trade Center buring on TV. And that feeling never left me. This was a very difficult story to cover, but it was important for all of us to stay focused on our job. --Lucian
I think we were all going through the same emotions as everyone else as the story developed. Those emotions are increased when you are on the ground interacting with everyone involved.
San Francisco, Calif.:
I understand there were some horrific scenes of people jumping and the like. Is it your practice to photograph everything and allow the paper to exercise editorial discretion, or do you choose not to photograph some events?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: I try to photograph what I can at the time. We can later decide whether an image should be published or not. I think the only times I've hesitated taking a photograph is if it puts anyone in danger or adversily affects the people involved. Lucian
New York, N.Y.:
What motivates members of the press-- particularly photographers-- to risk their lives to cover a story? Have you ever covered a war? The war Russia/Afghanistan war for example?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: As a photojournalist, I want to cover every aspect of life from weddings to war. I believe many photographers that cover war hope that their photographs will do some good by showing the actual horrors of war.
Actually, I was just in Afghanistan last February for a story we did on the refugee crisis there. It is a country with a lot of internal problems and suffering the worst drought in history. Lucian
McLean, Va.:
What were you thinking and feeling while you were working that night? Were you able to distance yourself somewhat from the horror, in order to get your job done? Or was it all too overwhelming?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: It was very much overwhelming. The one thing that really affected me was all the family/friends of the missing who would approach you if you had a camera so you would photograph their pictures in hopes of finding their loved-ones. Travis
North Carolina:
How close have you come to danger while covering this story? Will you cover the war in Afghanistan?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: With the exception of the first day, when many people were killed, this wasn't a dangerous story to cover. But it was a story that drained all of us emotionally, I think the one thing that kept us going and many of the volunteers, were the families with missing relatives who never gave up their search for their loved ones. That is one thing I will never forget.
Let's not assume their will be a war in Afghanistan. I hope not. It is a very inhospitable country.
Washington, D.C.:
There are many horrific photos taken within the last week. What photos of yours or others do you consider the most heart warming or upbringing?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: I spent the day with a woman who was looking for her realives missing in the blast. She was so determined as she walked from hospital to hospital to follow any lead or rumor she heard. Along the way people stopped to help her or just give her encouragement. I had never seen a outpouring of help and volunteerism as I did during this story. It really gave me hope in humanity. Lucian
Vienna, Va.:
What were your hours like? Did you sleep enough? Where did you stay?
How did you decide who covered what? How did you get out of harm's way?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: As you might expect, the hours were very long. I had trouble sleeping, many because everything that you saw and heard you couldn't get out of your head at night. As for the stories, it's both what interests us as well as assignments coming from Washington and editors in New York. In terms of harm's way, you really have to trust your instincts in these situations.
Norfolk, Va. :
I'm a photographer and I have trouble getting info. from people when they are upset. You want to take the pic and get out of there because you've invaded enough-- do you have trouble asking people that basic info you need for a caption (name, where they are from) when they are crying and upset. What do you do-- do you move on without it?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: You are right--this is one of the toughest part of our jobs. One thing I did in New York was wait until the people I photographed had calmed down from the situation.I would then approach them apologized for bothering them at a moment like this, but explain who I was and that I needed basic information from them. I found that everyone I talked to was more than willing to talk to me. Lucian
washingtonpost.com:
Lucian and Travis, please explain to us how sent your photos over to the Post and washingtonpost.com. What technology did you use and was it hard since the phone lines were cut the first few days? What did you have to rely on at that time?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: It turned out to be quite easy to get our material back. We used the Post bureau in New York, where there was a fast internet connection.
Cumberland, Md.:
By choosing what to photograph isn't there a danger that your own bias and political views will creep into it? The war in Kosovo to me was a great example of biased photographic coverage.
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: There is always a danger of our own views and biases getting in the way of our work. All we can do is try our best to give all sides a fair look. In the case of Kosovo--a war that I covered--it was a case of where we could and couldn't go. However, the press did a very good job into getting into places that they were severely restricted like Serbia and Kosovo during the bombing. Kosovo is a highly politicized place and no one side will be happy with the coverage there, but I have a grudging respect for many of the people I had met there and the stories they did in very dangerous circumstances. Lucian
Washington, D.C.:
Can you describe in words anything you couldn't capture on film?
No one is explaining the sounds, smells, etc. of the site.
Do you think a photo book will ever be published of all the photos taken over the last week and months/years to come?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: The scope of the site of the World Trade Center is very difficult to capture on film. You almost have to see it to believe it. Throughout the city you could smell the smoke and feel the dust. When I left on Sunday smoke still bellowed over the skyline. But as I said earlier, what struck me most was the kindness of New Yorkers and the way they banded together to help each other. It was truely amazing. Lucian
The smell was something that was very distinctive, it was a constant reminder even after you had left the site. I'm in Washington now, I can still smell in on my jacket and other items. It really brings back the memories. Travis
Chicago, Ill.:
Greetings,
What are your picks for the pictures that symbolize the disaster, the cleanup and the rebuilding?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: I was moved by so many of the images that I saw last week. I was moved by the people jumping, knowing that this was their last option. I was moved by the images of crowds running down the street as a huge clowd of debris and smoke chased them. I was moved by the photograph of a fireman running up the stairs of the WTC, knowing that he was going to a certain death. I can go on and on. And many of the images do go on and on in my head. Lucian
Alexandria, Va.:
Why go to N.Y. when you cover Washington D.C.? Isn't the story here in D.C. at the Pentagon?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: The story is also here in D.C., where the majority of the staff was. Our team in NYC was only a fraction of the total staff covering the story.
Arlington, Va.:
The Post over the weekend carried two stories about photographers being threatened for taking pictures of Palestinians on the West bank celebrating the bombings - heve either of you faced similar threats for doing your assignments?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: Occassionaly, but not as seriously as the situation on the West Bank. The last time I had difficulty taking photographs was in Afghanistan, where photography is banned. I had to be very careful to make sure that no one from the Taliban's Truth and Virtue sqaud weren't around.Lucian
Washington, D.C.:
A technical question: what do you look for when you take pictures, and did that change at all this past week?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: We look to capture moments and emotions that convey some aspect of humanity. For us that is what photography is all about. The events of the past week only reinforced this philosophy. Lucian and Travis
Annapolis, Md.:
Do you primarily use digital cameras or traditional film?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: The photographers for the newspaper use film and scan the negative into the computer. The website uses all digital cameras, both still and video.
Brooklyn, N.Y.:
Are you in NY now? Are family members still approaching you? What is the mood? Is there even a sliver of hope or are even loved ones giving up? God bless America, thanks for the revealing pics.
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: We are both back in Washington now. My impression is that that mood in New York is different than here in DC. Almost everyone in New York knows someone affected in the attack. It has been said that this has brought the whole country together. I think this "togetherness" is at its best in New York. Travis
Tina in Falls Church,Va:
Have any of the subjects in photos come forward or objected to the photos of themselves being used? Thanks
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: Off hand I can't think of any examples. That wasn't the case in New York. Lucian
Naples, Fla.:
Who decides or how is it decided who will cover such a big important story? Is it always the senior photographers on staff or is it the photog who is quickest out of the gate or closest to NYC (in this case)?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: That is a question I'll let my boss answer. Lucian
Miami, Fla.:
Pictures by "Doug Mills/AP" have been in every paper. Do you know this person? How is he so omnipresent?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: Are you a relative of Doug Mills? Actually, Doug is a very good photographer based in Washington. I'll ask him if he is "omnipresent" when I next see him. Lucian
Erie, Pa.:
Wasn't Perkins just in Russia?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: I was in Russia doing the "Siberian Diaries" for Washingtonpost.com. You can see it in Camera works. I was back less than a week before the World Trade Center was attacked. Lucian
Gullsgate, Minn.:
Perkins and Fox: I am curious, where have all the homeless gone? Are there a few under rubble who will never be identified? That too is a "horrific" (buzzword of the day?) story; been goin' on for some time? Could you scan a few faces and stories for those 'without portfolio' who may be part of this "devastation"?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: There are still homeless people in New York and there are more now. I suspect that there are many people (homeless and otherwise) killed in the World Trade Center attack that we will never know about.
Vienna, Va.:
I just wanted to say thank you for the work that you do. As someone who has been following the news non-stop for the last week, I appreciate the value of photojournalism.
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: We do too. And we are always glad to hear that other people appreciate it as well.
Cincinnati, Ohio:
What motivates photographers to snap pictures when people are grieving? Have you used long lenses for this story?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: I'm not sure "motivate" is the right word. It is one of the most difficult parts of our jobs, but an important one. The big challenge to is to this part of the job without intruding on the people in pain. That is what is difficult, especially with a story with a large media presence. Lucian
I've had experiences were it was difficult for me to take pictures in these situations, but often the people grieving don't mind being photographed. My instinct sometimes is not to photograph, but often it turns out that the subject is perfectly ok with being photographed or even appreciates it. Travis
Park Point, Minn.:
Perkins and Fox: Will you be extending your coverage beyond the burroughs and bowels of New York, covering the stories in the hinterland and heartland of this nation where the shock waves roll like thunder, far beyond the eastern shore etc., denying security for every citizen in this nation, in minute yet powerful ways?
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: We assume that photographers from every town in America are covering this story from the viewpoints of their neighborhoods and towns. This story has directly hit Washington, New York and Pennsylvania, but the impact is nationwide and worldwide.
Lucian Perkins and Travis Fox: Thank you for the many insightful questions and thoughts. It was great interacting with everyone here. Please accept our apologies for not being able to answer all the questions during this period. Lucian and Travis
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